Contrast-Enhanced Renal MRA

Abstract

The rapid growth of magnetic resonance imaging systems with enhanced gradient systems together with improved pulse sequences has improved the ability to image blood vessels with a spatial and temporal resolution similar to conventional X-ray angiography. With patients who cannot undergo X-ray angiography because they are contraindicated for iodinated contrast agents (having a creatinine level > 2.0), MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) has proven to be the modality of choice. Since the first demonstration of such contrast-enhanced studies in the abdominal aorta, there have been continual improvements in methods due to improved hardware/software capabilities. This unit presents the MR protocols to image vascular morphology using contrast-enhanced 3-D-MRA techniques. The pulse sequences described herein are based on the authors' experience with a Siemens 1.5 T Vision and 1.5 T Sonata scanners, but are expected to be equally applicable to machines from other manufacturers.